Page 55 of Unwrapped By the Grumpy Mountain Man
He laughs, pulling me close, his hands still damp on my waist. "Maybe I'm going soft in my old age."
"Not too soft, I hope," I tease, pressing against him suggestively.
His eyes darken. "Careful, Goldie. There are children present."
"For now," I whisper against his lips. "But they'll be asleep eventually."
"Is that a promise?" he murmurs.
"Absolutely."
He kisses me then, deep and thorough, his hands sliding down to cup my hips. I melt against him, still amazed at how perfectly we fit together.
"Valentine's Day sounds perfect," I say when we finally break apart. "I can't wait to marry you again, Hudson Wilder."
"We first did the Court house, now Valentine's Day, and who knows, I’m sure we’ll end up renewing our vows on some significant anniversary."
"How many times are you planning to marry me, Mr. Wilder?" I smile.
His expression turns serious. "I’d marry you every day till we’re old and gray, if you'll let me."
"Done,” I lean in and press a light kiss on the corner of his lips. “There's nothing I want more."
From the living room, Lucy calls out, "Dad! Vi! Come see what I built!"
Hudson presses his forehead to mine. "Duty calls."
"Our life calls," I correct him gently.
Hand in hand, we walk back to the living room, to the bright tree and eager children, to the family we've created from the most unexpected beginnings.
As I watch Hudson drop to his knees to admire Lucy's creation, Silvie leaning comfortably against my side, a sense of absolute rightness washes over me.
I came to Hudson seeking security for my mother’s house. Instead, I found my home. In his arms, in his children's hearts, in the life we're building together.
And as the Christmas lights twinkle around us, I silently thank whatever fate, chance, or Christmas miracle brought us together. Because sometimes, the best gifts are the ones you never knew to ask for.
EPILOGUE
HUDSON
Valentine’s Day
I jerkthe tie off for the third time, my hands refusing to quit shaking. I curse, closing my eyes and filling my lungs deeply, slowly.
“For fuck’s sake, Wilder,” I whisper to myself.
Violet’s already my wife. We’ve already stood in front of each other and said vows. There’s no reason for me to feel jitters skittering up and down my back, choking my airway.
I’m full of shit.
This is nothing like the first time at that courthouse back in December. This time, every intimate detail was planned together with our girls in mind.Our girls. Violet was born to be a mother. I’m in awe of my beautiful wife every day, but especially those quiet moments where she and the girls, individually or all together, share special moments.
The judge moved quickly, and three weeks after CPS dropped off my daughters for good, it became official. I was given solecustody of all three. Kristy is currently getting the rehabilitation she needs, but lost her rights after what they found. How she reacted and handled the entire case afterward got her more severe punishment and a stained record.
When she is sober for an extended period of time, the judge will allow sporadic supervised visits. Only because our daughters, deep down, in their own complicated way, still love their mother. I will give them that.
Thankfully, they don’t lack a mother’s love. A light shines brightly in each of them as I’ve never seen since Vi stepped fully into the role as their step-mom. They adore her with all their hearts, and the way her eyes can’t hide the fierce love she has for them, for all of us, humbles me every day.
